Teen Book Reviews – RPL

Reviews of Recent Reads

The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks (by E. Lockhart) May 8, 2008

Disreputable HistoryFrankie, known affectionately as Bunny to her family, is going back to school. Starting her sophomore at Alabaster Prep and now out of the shadow of her older sister, Frankie has a chance to shine. When she catches the eye of Matt, a popular senior, Frankie’s year is off to a dreamy start. But Frankie finds out that her new beau is a member of the all-male secret society “The Loyal Order of the Bassett Hounds” – a club her very own father (and successful school alumnus) tries to keep secret from her. Frustrated and feeling left-out, Frankie turns the tables on the Loyal Order and soon has them carrying out her orders, though they have no idea who she really is.

Things get more serious when Frankie starts using the Loyal Order to not just to pull pranks, but make social and political statements on campus. Is the power of the Loyal Order of the Bassett Hounds enough to change school policy and keep her relationship with Matt on track? Or is the elitist club symbol of how secrecy and lies merely divide our society and destroy our relationships?

Recommended 13+

 

Evil Genius (Catherine Jinks) May 8, 2008

Evil GeniusCadel Piggot is a genius. By the age of 7, his adoptive parents begin sending him to a psychiatrist after some illegal computer hacking. After his psychiatrist advises him simply “Next time, don’t get caught next”, Cadel learns that his biological father is an infamous and brilliant crook, currently in a high security prison. Moreover, by time he turns 13, his father is bankrolling the Axis Institute for World Domination, where Cadel can take useful classes like embezzlement, disguises and forgery.

Along the way, Cadel develops an online friendship with Kay-Lee, another computer junkie. As their relationship grows, Cadel begins to question the motivations of those around him and what the kind of future the Axis Institute holds for him.

Recommended 11+